National Parks and National Forests, Northern New Mexico:

New Mexico is often called the "Land of Enchantment". Although such cliches tend to be rather self-serving and even misleading, in this case the description is apt. A series of unusual landforms makes this corner of the Colorado Plateau one of nature's sublime masterpieces. There are mysterious tablelands and mesas, huge lava fields, colorful canyons and rock formations, forbidding badlands, beautiful forests of pine, cottonwood, and aspen, and sacred Native American lands replete with ancient legends.

Native American life and culture is a prominent part of Northern New Mexico's colorful mosaic. Many tribes call this region home, including Navajo, Zuni, Acoma, Laguna, and Apache. Their heritage and history can be seen all over the state. Indian villages or pueblos dot Northern New Mexico and serve as a reminder that - despite the annexation of these lands in previous centuries by Europeans and Euro-Americans - Native American culture continues to flourish in this area as it has for thousands of years.

The artist colonies of Santa Fe and Taos are famous for attracting some of the most talented artists in the country. Here, contemporary artists exhibit their paintings and sculptures in a plethora of galleries. The great American artist Georgia O'Keefe loved this region and painted some of her most famous works from the Ghost Ranch retreat north of Santa Fe.

The federal government has set aside many places that showcase the timeless landscapes of Northern New Mexico. There are a raft of National Monuments, wilderness areas and Historic Parks. Unlike a lot of places in the Southwest, this area is still relatively uncrowded (outside Taos and Santa Fe that is) where hikers can find solitude amid diverse and beautiful scenery. No less compelling are the historic sites that shed some light on the many indigenous cultures that have existed here in past and present times.

Recommended Day Hikes:
Chimney Rock Trail - Ghost Ranch
Round Trip Length: 3.0 miles
Trailhead location: Drive to the Ghost Ranch Presbyterian retreat near Abiquiu and the trailhead will be located at the old gate just behind the Ruth Hall Museum of Paleontology
Level of Difficulty: Moderate
Attractions: On this trail, you are witness to one of New Mexico's greatest landscapes where Georgia O'Keefe came to paint and delight in the scenery. Up close views of the huge Chimney Rock formation and spectacular vistas of the surrounding red rock cliffs and mesas make this a special hike.

Kitchen Mesa - Ghost Ranch
Round Trip Length: 5.0 miles
Trailhead location: Starts just past the chain across the road at Long House
Level of Difficulty: Strenuous
Attractions: Awesome panoramic views of New Mexico's red rock country with buttes and cliffs stretching out as far as the eye can see

Falls Trail - Bandelier National Monument
Round Trip Length: 5.0 miles
Trailhead location: Visitor Center parking lot
Level of Difficulty: Moderate
Attractions: The trail follows a creek through the lush riparian environment of Frijoles Canyon. Two Waterfalls and the Rio Grande river are seen on this hike

Main Loop Trail - Bandelier National Monument
Round Trip Length: 1.2 miles
Trailhead location: Visitor Center
Level of Difficulty: Easy
Attractions: This paved trail features a number of important archeological sites that contain dwellings and ceremonial structures of the Ancestral Pueblo Indians who lived here from the 1100s to the mid 1500s

Mesa Top Loop Trail - El Morro National Monument
Round Trip Length: 2.0 miles
Trailhead location: Behind the Visitor Center
Level of Difficulty: Moderate
Attractions: The first part of this hike takes you to ancient petroglyphs and historic inscriptions that were carved into a large sandstone bluff by Pueblo Indians, Spanish explorers, and Americans. The second part of the trail leads along the top of a small box canyon with views of the Zuni Mountains and distant volcanic craters

The Narrows - El Malpais National Monument
Round Trip Length: 8.0 miles
Trailhead location: Parking area for the South Narrows, off state route 117
Level of Difficulty: Easy
Attractions: Most of this hike is on level ground. It follows along the top of some high cliffs overlooking huge, black lava flows and ends with a view of a large sandstone arch called Ventana Arch

Crater Rim Trail - Capulin Volcano National Monument
Round Trip Length: 1.0 miles
Trailhead location: Crater rim parking lot
Level of Difficulty: Easy
Attractions: At over 8,000 ft. above sea level, this trail skirts the rim of a huge, symmetrically-shaped cinder cone, providing outstanding views in every direction of the surrounding plains and mountains

Big Arsenic Springs - Wild Rivers National Recreation Area
Round Trip Length: About 2 miles
Trailhead location: At the back of Big Arsenic Springs Campground near the canyon rim. The campground is accessed via state route 378
Level of Difficulty: Easy
Attractions: Descending 800 feet into the rugged, impressively carved Rio Grande Gorge, this hike leads to the Rio Grande river through woodlands of pinyon pine, juniper, and ponderosa pine

Canyon Trail - Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument
Round Trip Length: 2.6 miles
Trailhead location: Main parking area for the monument (5 miles along Forest Road 266/Tribal Route 92)
Level of Difficulty: Strenuous
Attractions: The trail takes you on a journey through the incredible volcanic landscape of the Jemez Mountains. Strange and fascinating rock formations carved out of volcanic tuff are seen along the trail as it weaves through Tent Rock Canyon

Gold Hill - Wheeler Peak Wilderness (Carson National Forest)
Round Trip Length: 11.0 miles
Trailhead location: Across from Taos Ski Valley at its base; A large Wheeler Peak Wilderness sign marks the trailhead
Level of Difficulty: Strenuous
Attractions: An excellent alternative to the Wheeler Peak trail but without the crowds. Great views of some of the tallest mountains within Wheeler Peak wilderness

Recommended Points of Interest:
Enchanted Circle Scenic Byway near Taos; the town of Taos including the many art galleries and museums; Taos Pueblo; the Bisti Badlands; Angel Peak Scenic Area; Shiprock Peak; Aztec Ruins National Monument; the Sandia Mountains outside Albuquerque

Helpful travel tips and observations
Take some time to explore the Native American culture and history of the region, and the contemporary arts scene in Taos and Santa Fe. Hiking in this arid environment can be taxing during the summer months so plan your visit for either Spring or Fall (when the cottonwoods and aspen display their beautiful fall colors)

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